PICKLEBALL TOUR TESTIMONIALS

The tour organizers, Tony and Celeste Horpel live in Costa Rica and organize tours for the passionate pickleball player. Our tour included the “real” Costa Rica meaning we experienced a variety of things locals enjoy off the tourist “path”: We interacted with monkeys, iguanas and saw crocodiles, jungle cats, coatis, numerous tropical birds including toucans, macaws and parrots; hammocked on a desolate beach; and played pickleball in San Ramon’s salon communidad with tour goers and locals alike.

It was another pickleball adventure in the wonderful world we share – the awesome thing is wherever you go pickleball players are so similar. They were welcoming, eager to share their little piece of heaven, smile a lot and just want to play pickleball. The tour goers who we got to spend the week with were great! We shared some awesome sights, fabulous pickleball and hearty laughs. I recommend meeting up with Tony and Celeste to get both your Costa Rica culture and pickleball fix. See their Facebook Page @pickleballcostarica. Jennifer Lucore, 17 time National Pickleball Champion, San Diego, CA. To see her entire review, go towww.allpickleball.com/jennifersblog/pickleball-in-costa-rica

Thanks so much!!! We all had an awesome time!!! So many wonderful memories with these wild and crazy picklers in Costa Rica. Tony and Celeste introduced us to the real Costa Rica!!! Beverly Youngren, USAPA Ambassador, San Diego, CA.from Google Survey

I just want to thank you for our tour of Costa Rica. I thought you both did a fantastic job. We really appreciated being able to tour Costa Rica through the eyes of a local couple. We have been telling everyone in our area how great it was and encouraging them to go. It was fabulous to meet you both. Thanks so much!!! We all had an awesome time!!! So many wonderful memories with these wild and crazy picklers in Costa Rica. Tony and Celeste introduced us to the real costa rica!!! Laura Schwarzfrom Google Survey

Tony and Celeste were awesome hosts. They were constantly trying to make sure we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves. I liked that meals were included in the price of the tour. The dinners at Andy and Susan’s house were amazing. Seeing the house was a treat. I loved the pickleball instruction by Jennifer Lucore and her dad, Bob Youngren. I would definitely consider going back again.This was sooooo much fun! Jacque Smithfrom Google Survey

I had a great time and improved my game. Also learned much about the country. All of the tour stops were outstanding. I would like to have played a little more.“Anonymous”from Google Survey

I think you guys did a really great job. Really loved Andy and Nancy place and their wonderful hospitality. Thank you so much for the wonderful experience. Loved Costa Rica.

“Anonymous” from Google Survey

What a great tour – it was a great mix of pickleball and getting to know Costa Rica.“Anonymous” from Google Survey

So happy I was a part of the very first pickleball tour in Costa Rica. Good luck on your next one. Our group will always be the best.“Anonymous”from Google Survey

Tony and Celeste, Thank you so much for hosting us on our wonderful trip to Costa Rica through Pickleball Costa Rica. We thoroughly enjoyed it and eagerly look forward to returning. A highlight of our trip was the beautiful Punta Leona Resort. There was so much to do, including our daily pickleball play. The resort had it all, including beautiful pools and beaches, outstanding food and drink, music, dancing, comfortable accommodations, and fascinating side trip opportunities. It is so comforting and relaxing to know that everything is taken care of with tour leaders who have great local knowledge and fluent command of the local Spanish language. We felt completely safe and secure. There is so much to see and do, whether or not you play pickleball. The local flora and fauna, the incredible sunsets, and the friendly people made it an unforgettable vacation. We loved it! Larry and Teresa Amick from email, USAPA Ambassadors, Fishers, Indiana

Tony and Celeste,

All the excursions were wonderful! They felt personal and the right amount of time to still play Pickleball before or after the excursions. The resort you took us to is a great place to go. Very Costa Rican environment in an All inclusive venue and I loved the monkeys, iguanas and racoons! There were many other extracurricular things to do for non-Pickleball playing partners. Playing with the locals at John's bi-level Pickleball was great! Andy's meal! Yummy!!! Andy's house! What a touch of class and friendliness. Loved it! My host and hostess! You have got to have a trained iguana that you can pick up so we can take pics! Monkey Beach! Carlos Annichfrom email.USAPA Ambassador, Columbia, South Carolina.

PHOTO TOUR TESTIMONIALS

Hello Tony and Celeste, Greetings from Spokane where the weather is finally warming up. No monkeys swinging in the trees and no exotic birds chattering nearby however. I reminisce frequently and appreciate so much your thoughtful planning for this terrific and diverse adventure. I miss all that we did during our trip to Costa Rica. You made this trip worth it for all of us. Until we do it again, wishing you many good things. Steve D.

My husband and I recently returned from a two-week trip with Costa Rican Photo Tours, one of the most interesting and memorable trips we have ever taken. Our guides, Celeste and Tony Horpel, were professional, well organized, knowledgeable about Costa Rica, fluent in Spanish and simply fun folks to travel with. Tony is an excellent photographer and videographer and very willing to share his expertise.

The sites we visited were interesting to photograph, varied and, for the most part, off the usual tourist routes. Although the trip was planned with great attention to detail, there were lots of opportunities for spontaneous photo ops such as the day we happened upona local wrangler training his horse to “dance” for an upcoming parade. My favorite part of the tour was our 4-night stay in a lovely resort/lodge located deep in the tropical jungle where we photographed foliage, insects, macaws, parrots, toucans, coatis, peccaries and a variety of other animals.

“When you can say ” there is not one thing you would change” after returning from a vacation, you want to let others know about it! If you are looking for the chance to soak in cross sections of Costa Rica and all that it offers, then this is the tour for you.American-born but now locals themselves, tour guides Celeste and Tony offered us the best of the best…from where to see a great variety of birds and animals to where you can grab great food.

Their command of the language and easy- to -like personalities helped us to enjoy the local markets, the restaurants, and the friendly Costa Rican people.

The tour was planned out in detail, yet allowed for flexibility in the schedule so we could take advantage of an unexpected anddelightful photo op (whether it was a town event, or a park with iguanas and monkeys, or groups of rummaging coati, colorful birds (including but not limited to those gorgeous Scarlet Macaws, or hermit crabs at night!).

The places we experienced were target rich for photos of eclectic buildings, local markets and towns with character, lush vegetation, and …oh, did we mention the variety of wild birds and animals???

Costa Rica has been on our list of adventures and we are so grateful to the Horpels for making our tour exciting as well as safe. PS It took us a LONG time to go thru our many images, but it was fun reliving the experience.” Dora Z.